5 NY Mets players on the verge of losing more playing time or their job

The reinforcements are coming! Both Francisco Lindor and Tyrone Taylor are set to begin their rehab on Friday. One more impactful than the other, getting back any bodies can help turn the New York Mets season around for good.

The phrase “when one door closes, another one opens” can apply for many things in life. In the baseball world and roster construction, it’s usually the opposite. A door is opening which will close some other doors. When the Lindor and Taylor doors open, it’ll cost these Mets players playing time or maybe even their job.

These 5 Mets players are about to lose more playing time or their jobs

1) Zack Short

When Lindor is back, Zack Short is the easy one to send out. A recent waiver claim who took the place of Vidal Brujan on the roster, there won’t be any use for Short on the club. They have a built-in backup for Lindor at shortstop with Bo Bichette. The Mets will try to pass Short through waivers or maybe deal him for cash like they did in 2024 to the Boston Red Sox.

2) Mark Vientos

Mark Vientos has already lost a lot of playing time, but he’s about to lose even more. Carlos Mendoza explained before Thursday’s game that he hopes to use Francisco Alvarez as a DH more often, putting the responsibility behind the plate on the more efficient Luis Torrens. Even if those appearances as the DH are limited, any increase will bury Vientos further on the depth chart.

3) Brett Baty

The man most directly affected by Lindor’s return will be Brett Baty. He has played third base a ton since Lindor’s injury and right now there is no place for him to move. Bichette goes back to third base and Baty’s role becomes a great unknown. Appearances at first base and in the corner outfield as well as the DH spot are possible. Maybe the Mets even get bold enough to sit Marcus Semien and give Baty a chance at second base for a full 9 innings. Because he is left-handed and just about everyone else on the roster he could replace defensively is as well, Baty is going to have to play well in his more limited opportunities.

4) MJ Melendez

Lindor’s return doesn’t mean too much for MJ Melendez. Tyrone Taylor’s will. Melendez has been used plenty by the Mets, even getting regular opportunities in the field. Taylor’s return will give them a more defensive-focused and an option from the right side of the plate. Melendez has minor league options remaining so the Mets don’t have to think too hard about it. Taylor hasn’t had an exceptional season himself. Along with being a trade candidate, performing poorly could land him on the list of DFA’d players.

5) Eric Wagaman

Eric Wagaman has a role, but is it a role the Mets can afford to carry? We know the obvious move is to DFA Short when Lindor returns. With Taylor, it’s either sending down Melendez or Wagaman. Because he also happens to be a right-handed hitter, the Mets may not have quite as great of a need to keep this clever pickup on the active roster. Unless they move on from Vientos, they’ll probably choose him for those pinch hit opportunities Wagaman is grabbing.

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